Actuating means for electric light bulbs



June 1957 J. H. PUCKETT ACTUATING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT BULBS Filed March 5, 1955 m w 01 l I m H Elli- 2 4 J5: Z 1 H Z mmwuwvhmww AwPvnn .1 nu W I a w 2 mm m T! M mm. x a mw y y l J Y B United States Pateflt ACTUATING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT BULBS James H. Puckett, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor of one-half to Paul Asmussen, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application March 3, 1955, Serial No. 491,856

Claims. (Cl. 200-81) This invention relates to apparatus for actuating an electric light bulb, and more particularly to' air bulb controlled actuating means for alternately turning on and oif an electric light bulb.

It is the primary object of this invention to alternately turn on and off an electric light bulb by means responsive to foot or other applied pressure. With such a device it is possible to switch an electric light bulb on or off without going to the conventional point of actuation such as a wall switch. For example, the foot pressure responsive means may be placed beside a bed so that when a person Wants to rise, the light may be turned on Without his first going to the wall switch. By the same token the light may be turned off as the last thing before getting into bed.

Besides having obvious practical advantages the invention is unique and novel in that it controls the light bulb switch in a mysterious manner to the uninitiated who are unfamiliar with the control means. It is thus a furthe object of the present invention to provide a novelty article which excites the imagination of the observer.

The primary feature of the present invention resides in the use of air bulb means to move the light bulb switch a sufficient distance to alternately turn on and 01f the bulb.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is :a transverse section view of the invention and of the floor bulb which is a part thereof, the other or doughnut type bulb being in collapsed position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the exception that the doughnut type bulb is in an inflated position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view'of the doughnut type bulb alone with a section of the tubing .connected thereto.

In the drawings the casing of the device or apparatus which comprise-s the present invention is shown at 10. The plug end 11 is provided with the conventional prongs 12 and 13 for insertion in any socket. The conductors 14 are suitably affixed to the conventional terminals 15 and 16.

The receptacle end of the device is shown at 17, it having the conventional openings 18 for reception of a light bulb connection or the like.

Extending transversely of the casing and afiixed thereto is the partition 19. The partition is recessed at 20 for secure mounting therewithin of the nut 21 that is connected to the pull switch 22. The conventional chain 23 is associated with the pull switch and as is well known, electrical contact is alternately made and broken by pulling on the chain. The conventional spring means (not shown) are used to retract the chain after it has been extended to its furthermost point.

Disposed transversely within the casing adjacent the partition is the doughnut type bulb 24. It is through the opening of this bulb that the switch chain extends. The free end of the chain is connected to the plate 26 which "ice will have an extended length to reach as far as may be desired. The opposite end of this tubing is connected to the flat, elongated floor bulb 26. This latter bulb is disposed underneath a carpet or rug at the point desired by the user. This may be just inside the door to a room, beside 'a bed, a reading chair or the like, or whereever preferred. Because of the flat, elongated character of this latter bulb it will not present any unseemly or unsightly appearance and yet will effectively force air upon foot pressure being applied, through the tubing and into the doughnut type bulb.

Once such foot pressure or the like is applied to the floor bulb and the doughnut type bulb is inflated as shown in Fig. 2, the movable plate 27 will be forced away from the partition 19, pulling with it the chain. This action will be against the constraint or bias of the conical spring 28 which is mounted at the receptacle end of the hollow casing. One end of this spring will be seated against the annular ring 29 and the other end will embrace the raised central flange 30 of the movable plate. As is apparent, once the pressure on the floor bulb is released, the spring pressure of the conical spring will force the movable plate towards the partition and will exhaust the air in the doughnut bulb through the tubing into the floor bulb, whereafter the process can be repeated indefinitely.

In operation the device is inserted in any wall or floor socket with the electric light bulb plug connection suitably mounted in the opposite end. The floor bulb will, as aforesaid, be disposed at the desired position in a room. When a person wishes to turn on the light he merely steps upon that portion of the carpet or rug underneath Which the floor bulb is disposed whereupon the air will be exhausted from the floor bulb and will inflate the doughnut bulb. In so inflating the doughnut bulb the chain will, as aforesaid, be pulled out until the pull switch is actuated. Just as soon as the foot or the like pressure upon the floor bulb is released the constraint of the conical springs will cause the plate to exhaust air from the doughnut bulb, the partition serving in effect as an anvil. The exhausted air will pass through the tubing back into the floor bulb. When it is desired to turn oil the light the same process is repeated.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with an electric light bulb, it is clear that any other electrical device can similarly be actuated. Consequently such other electrical devices are intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the invention and of the claims.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus for actuating of an electrical switch at a point remote from the switch, comprising a casing, a switch including a pull chain mounted in said casing, an inflatable element disposed in said casing, the free end of said chain being operably associated with said element and responsive to variations in the dimensions thereof, pressure means remote from said element and connected thereto by an elongated tubing, said means being operable under applied pressure to inflate said element and move said chain to switch actuating position, resilient means mounted in said casing adjacent said element and opera" point remote from the witch, comprising a casing, a? switch includingan actuating chain mounted in said cas-- ing, a normally deflated bulb disposed insaid casing, the free end of said chain being operably associated therewith, an elongated tubing connected at one end tosaidblilband extending through said casing to a remote point, a second bulb connected to the otherend of said tubing and operable under applied pressure to distend said first bulb and move said chain to switch actuating position, a movable element extending transversely of said casing and associated with said first bulb, and resilient means mounted insaid casing and having one end bearing upon said element, said means being operable upon the release ot' pressure on said second bulb to bias said element for exhausting air from said first bulb, whereby said switch is turned on and elf at will.

3. Apparatus for actuating of an electrical switch at a point remote from the switch, comprising a casing, a fixed partition including a central opening mounted transversely in said casing, a switch including an actuating chain mounted in said casing on one side of said partition with the free end of said chain extending through said opening to the other side of said partition, a normally deflated doughnut type bulb mounted in said casing contiguous to said partition, the free end of said chain being operably associated with said bulb and responsive to inflation thereof, an elongated tubing connected at one end to said bulb and extending through said casing to a remote point, a relatively flat bulb connected to the other end of said tubing and operable upon pressure application to inflate said first bulb and move said chain to switch actuating position, and resilient means mounted in said casing adjacent said bulb and operable upon the release of pressure on said floor bulb to exhaust air from said first bulb whereby said switch is turned on and off at will. a

4. Apparatus for actuating an electrical switch at a point remote and from the switch, comprising a casing, a fixed partition including a central opening mounted transversely insaid casing, a switch including an actuating chain mounted in said casing on one side of said partition with the free end of said chain extending through said opening to the other side of said partition, a normally deflated doughnut type bulb mounted in said casing contiguous to said partition, a plate extending transversely ofsaid casing and abutting said bulb on the side thereofoppositei said partition, said free end of the chain extending through the opening of said bulb and being connected to said plate and movable therewith, an elongated tubing connected at one end to said bulb and extending through said casing to a remote point, a relatively fiat bulb connected to the other end of said tubing and operable upon the application of pressure to inflate said first bulb and move said plate and said chain to switch actuating position, and

" resilient means mounted in said casing and bearing upon said plate, said means being operable upon the release of pressure on said floor bulb to exhaust air from said first bulb whereby the switch may be turned on and 0E at will.

5. Apparatus for controlling the actuation of an electric lamp at a point remote from the lamp and from the switch, comprising a casing having a male plug at one end and a female socket at the other end for reception of the male plug of an extension cord for said lamp, a fixed partition including a central opening extending transversely of said casing, a switch including an actuating chain mounted in said casing on one side of said partition with the free end of said chain extending through said opening to the other side of said partition, a normally deflated doughnut type bulb mounted in said casing contiguous to said partition, a free floating plate loosely mounted in said casing and engaging said bulb on the surface thereof opposite said partition, said plate including a central open-- ing, the free end of said chain extending through the opening of said bulb and said plate and being connected to said plate for movement therewith in response to the inflation of said bulb, and a conical spring mounted in said casing, one end of said spring bearing upon the receptacle end of said casing and the other end thereof bearing upon said plate, an elongated tubng connected at one end to said bulb and extending through said casing to a remote point,

a relatively fiat bulb connected to the other end of said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,153,277 Sharp Apr. 4, 1939 2,295,068 Woodin Sept. 8,, 1942 2,481,534

Robertson Sept. 1-3, 1949 

